Streetsblog Chicago is currently in the thick of raising funds for our next year of publication. Once again, The Chicago Community Trust, a charitable foundation that was one of the early funders of SBC, has very generously offered us a challenge grant. If Streetsblog reaches $50K in donations and sponsorships by the end of May, the Trust will provide the last $25K needed to keep the site running into 2017 and beyond.

If you’ve already contributed, thanks so much for helping us win the challenge grant. As an added incentive to first-time donors, as well as those who’d like to make an additional contribution, anyone who donates $100 or more from this point on will get a copy of John’s book “Bars Across America.”

Donate $200 or more and we’ll also throw in a copy of the anthology “On Bicycles,” to which John contributed a chapter about Chicago’s West Town Bikes, while supplies last.

Please feel free to spread the word about the challenge grant to potential donors, or contact me at 312-560-3966 or greenfieldjohn[at]hotmail.com with leads on other possible funding sources. To keep you apprised on our progress, we’ll be updating the above Donate-O-Meter along with Today’s Headlines each morning.

I can’t blame folks in Bridgeport for not wanting that wall. I think it would feel prison-like and losing the skyline view would be a big deal.

BlueFairlane

Some of the best skyline views in the city are down there.

Kevin M

Re: the updated Illinois Vehicle code that doubles the fine for crossing RR tracks when gates are down

Does this law also apply to pedestrians or bicyclists?

what_eva

The Cortland/Wood project. The Wood part makes perfect sense, but why do a greenway on Cortland when the entire stretch is a block north of the 606?

johnaustingreenfield

If you’re riding on Damen and heading towards Elston, or vice-versa, you’re not going to get up on the trail to go 3.5 blocks.

what_eva

Given that Damen and Elston intersect just north of there, there’s a pretty limited group of people who would fall into that category.

Jeff Gio

potentially, but if you leap over the tracks it doesn’t count as crossing

Pat

I don’t think John necessarily means that people are going east to get onto Elston, but rather heading that direction to use the Courtland bridge and head onto Armitage and towards the Lake Path.

Personally, I find Courtland to be pretty low-stress between Damen and Ashland, but I don’t use it during rush times, so I can’t speak for everyone.

Jeff Gio

LAZ and CPM are parasites on the city’s residents. I’m curious if the city is responsible for motorist’s unpaid parking fines or sabotaged parking meters

Pat

The City does not pay out anything on the violations to CPM, which instead goes entirely to the City. CPM only collects the meter revenues and true-ups.

ohsweetnothing

LAZ is just the parking management company…one might argue that LAZ would still be handling the City’s meters even if the City still controlled them.

Jeff Gio

Thanks for the clarification!

what_eva

I think my point still stands. I don’t think many would be coming from the south on Damen to do this, but rather most would be from the north and could take Elston (especially after the construction mess finishes up).

My larger point is that we have a limited budget for greenways, why spend that money on Cortland when it could likely be better spent in other gaps in the network.

Pat

People would be coming from the south on Wood. Bike lanes are more useful and inviting when they are connected. People taking Wood north to Courtland to use the bridge need a connection too.

johnaustingreenfield

I hear you. Wood and Cortland are already fairly pleasant streets to bike on — it’s just a matter of knowing that they’re there. But adding pavement markings and signs will help shepherd people onto these routes, and if they can do something about the horrific Cortland/Ashland intersection, that will be a big improvement.

what_eva

“greenway” makes me think of more than just paint and signs, which don’t cost much. I think more of some curb extensions, etc like on Berteau. Are you going tonight/report on the plans tomorrow?

dr

A datapoint: I ride the 606 to Rockwell everyday in winter, but I ride Cortland in summer. The 606 is simply too congested for responsible bikers after 5pm in the summer. For that reason, I am much appreciative of the new Cortland lane.

Additionally, Cortland is a heavily used connector from both the Metra, and as a connector to Armitage. I would ID it as one of the most heavily used “side-streets” in the city.

Fred

Re: railroad crossing fines

If dancing with a train isn’t enough of a deterrent, I can’t imagine a fine of ANY amount will be.

Fred

Does the vehicle code otherwise apply to pedestrians?

planetshwoop

Parasites — why do we think that? I mean, sure, Daley underpriced the deal and then squandered the money, but no one seems to be as furious at the parking companies in the Loop, who also charge for parking?

There are many many many things that were bad about the parking meter deal. But it’s easier to park than when there were the terrible meters, and the higher costs of parking means fewer people drive.

Within 10 years, if the contract allows, they’ll have variable rate parking to encourage more people to park during off-peak.The prices won’t just keep going up, LAZ will work to optimize their revenue soon once they hit a ceiling.

Pat

I think parasites is strong, but the whole way the deal went down with such speed and was jammed through the council strongly hints at corruption. Any longer term look at this deal would have rejected it immediately.

Those that collude with the corruption of City of officials are no better than the corrupt officials themselves.

skelter weeks

There are a lot of bike riders on Cortland eastbound at Ashland.
I know, because I see them across the street, waiting at the light, as I turn from Ashland to east Cortland at speed on my bike!
Later, losers!